Crabbers are reminded to stay on the lookout after an Asian paddle crab, pictured below, was found in the Swan River at Blackwall Reach in Bicton last week. Thanks to the local fisher for staying vigilant and reporting it to the department.

This invasive pest has recently encroached on New Zealand’s marine life, eating shellfish, small crustaceans, and competing with New Zealand’s native crabs for habitat and food.

[What to look for]• Looks different to blue swimmers• Shells will be up to 120mm• Six sharp spines between the eyes. If no spines between eyes, it’s a native crab.• Six spines down each side of the shell

[What to do]• Take photos of the suspect crab, especially from above• Keep the specimen and phone the FishWatch 24 hour hotline on 1800 815 507• If you keep and report a suspected Asian paddle crab, it will not be included as part of your daily bag limit of crabs

With predictions that there is likely to be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans by 2050, we need to be doing everything we can to reduce our use of plastic. @recfishwest https://t.co/XGEIUzgHki